General information
about Iguazú
Everything you need to know before visiting one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
The Iguazu Falls are the largest waterfall system on the planet. With 275 waterfalls stretching for almost 3 kilometers and a maximum height of 82 meters at the Devil's Throat, they surpass Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls in scale. In 1984 they were declared UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and in 2011 chosen as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World along with the Amazon, Halong Bay, Jeju Island, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Table Mountain and Komodo.
They are located in the extreme northeast of Argentina, in the province of Misiones, on the border with Brazil. The base city is Puerto Iguazú, 18 km from the National Park. On the Brazilian side is Foz do Iguaçu, and a few kilometers away is Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. This triple confluence of countries and rivers gives the area a cultural, gastronomic and geographical identity completely unique in the world.
Visiting them is not only to see water falling. It is to be in the middle of the most biodiverse subtropical rainforest in Argentina, to hear the roar of the Devil's Throat from a trembling footbridge, to get wet unintentionally with the spray that rises from the falls and to understand why the most repeated expression among travelers when they see the falls for the first time is simply: “I have no words”.
waterfalls
of full extension
maximum height
bird species
Essential facts about Iguazu
Key information to plan your visit
📍 Location.
Puerto Iguazú, province of Misiones, Argentina. Northeast of the country, in the triple border with Brazil (Foz do Iguaçu) and Paraguay (Ciudad del Este). 1,300 km from Buenos Aires by land, 1,400 km by road.
Iguazú National Park is 18 km from the center of Puerto Iguazú. The airport is 20 km from the center and 11 km from the Park.
🌡️ Climate
Humid subtropical. Rainfall is frequent throughout the year, especially between October and March. Temperatures are high most of the year.
Summer (Dec-Feb): 30-38°C with very high humidity.
Autumn (Mar-May): 20-28°C, ideal.
Winter (Jun-Aug): 12-22°C, dry and pleasant.
Spring (Sep-Nov): 20-30°C, green vegetation.
💰 Currency and prices
The currency is the Argentine Peso (ARS). In the tourist area, dollars and reais are accepted in most stores, hotels and restaurants.
The entrance fee to the National Park is paid in pesos. Organized tours are generally priced in dollars. International cards accepted in hotels and restaurants of medium and high level.
✈️ Airport
The Iguazú Falls International Airport (IGR) receives direct flights from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque and Ezeiza), Córdoba, Rosario and other Argentine cities.
Aerolineas Argentinas operates the most frequencies. LATAM and Flybondi have economic flights in advance. The flight from Buenos Aires takes 1h 50min.
🌿 National Park
Iguazu National Park has 67,620 hectares of protected subtropical rainforest. It is one of the most important national parks in Argentina and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Devil's Throat: may have special schedules in times of flood.
Entrance: is purchased online in advance.
🗣️ Language and communication
The official language is Spanish (rioplatense variety). In the tourist area, English and Portuguese are widely understood in hotels, tour operators and restaurants.
Mobile data coverage is good in Puerto Iguazú and at the accesses to the Park. In the interior of the Park it can be irregular. Wifi available in most hotels.
What is the best time to visit?
The falls are impressive all year round - but each season has its differences.
There is no single right answer. It depends on what you are looking for: the maximum water flow, fewer tourists, the best walking weather or the lowest prices.
Fall - March to May Recommended
The austral autumn is the favorite season for experienced travelers. Pleasant temperatures (20-28°C), high water flow and fewer tourists than in July or January. March and April are particularly good: the summer heat has already subsided and prices are affordable.
Spring - September to November Very good
It combines the coolness of the winter that is ending with the blooming of the subtropical forest. Progressive temperature from 18 to 28°C, particularly active fauna and still moderate tourism. Normal prices.
Winter - June to August July: high season
Dry and cool (12-22°C), ideal for long walks. June and August are quiet and reasonably priced. July is high season due to school vacations: the Park fills up and prices go up to 40%.
Summer - December to February January: high season
Highest water flow of the year - the falls are at their maximum splendor. But the heat (30-38°C) with extreme humidity makes walking exhausting. January is high season with high prices. If you come in summer, get to the Park as soon as it opens.
How to get to Iguazú
Transportation options from Buenos Aires and the rest of the country
Faster
✈️ By plane - 1h 50min
The most comfortable and fastest way to get there. Direct flights from Aeroparque (AEP) and Ezeiza (EZE) to Iguazu Falls Airport (IGR). Multiple daily frequencies with Aerolineas Argentinas. LATAM and Flybondi offer cheaper options in advance.
From the airport to the center of Puerto Iguazú is 20 km (25-30 min by remis or cab). To the National Park it is 11 km direct. Many hotels offer transfer from the airport.
⏱️ 1h 50min flight time
More economical
🚌 By bus - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
From Retiro Terminal in Buenos Aires. Crucero del Norte, Flecha Bus and Río Uruguay operate the route. Sleeper and semi-bed buses are comfortable for overnight trips: you leave at night and arrive in the morning. Some include dinner, breakfast and movie.
This is by far the most economical option. Ideal for those who have time and want to see the scenery of the Argentine coast during the trip.
⏱️ 17-20 hours travel time
More free
🚗 By car - 14 to 16 hours
Along National Route 14 (Route of the Immigrants), which borders the Uruguay River. A long but very picturesque trip that can be divided into two days with stops in Concordia, Paso de los Libres or Corrientes. There is also a route through Corrientes and Misiones which is a bit longer but with jungle scenery.
Having a car in Iguazú gives total freedom for transfers to the Park, excursions and the crossing to Brazil.
⏱️ 14-16 hours of driving
How to get around Iguazu
Local transportation, park access and border crossings
🚌 City bus (Line 88)
Bus line 88 goes from downtown Puerto Iguazú to the National Park gate. It leaves every 30-40 minutes and the trip takes about 30 minutes. It is the cheapest option. Payment is in cash in pesos. The first service leaves around 7:00.
🚕 Remis and cabs
The remises are the most comfortable option for punctual transfers. There are stops downtown and at the airport. The trip to the Park costs between $4.000 and $8.000 ARS depending on the starting point. For groups of 3-4 people it is convenient in front of the bus.
🚂 Ecological train (inside the park)
Inside the National Park there is a train with open carriages that connects the three stations: Central, Cataratas and Garganta del Diablo. It is free with the entrance fee to the Park. It departs every 15-20 minutes during high season. It goes through the interior of the jungle and the experience of the trip is worth it.
🇧🇷 Crossing to Brazil
For the Brazilian side you cross the Tancredo Neves International Bridge (2.5 km from downtown Puerto Iguazu). There are international buses from the terminal. Valid passport is required. The tours organized from Argentina include the migratory procedure. The trip from Puerto Iguazú to the Brazilian Park takes about 30 minutes.
🚗 Rental car
Several companies at the airport and downtown offer car rentals. It gives total freedom of schedules and is convenient for families or groups. From $25.000 ARS per day with basic insurance. Useful especially for those who want to combine Iguazú with visits to yerba mate farms or the Jesuit Ruins.
🎫 Transfer organized with the tour.
The most practical option: most of the tours include a round trip transfer from the hotel. No need to worry about bus schedules or coordinating cabs. Highly recommended for the tour to the Brazilian side and the Hito Tres Fronteras where the border crossing can be complicated if you go alone.
Required Documentation
What do you need to enter the Park and to cross borders?
Argentina only
To visit the Iguazú National Park on the Argentine side, all you need is Valid Argentine DNI or identity card of the country of origin for foreigners. Non-Argentine citizens present their passport at the Park entrance. No additional visa is required for visitors from most countries.
Crossing to Brazil
Valid passport required for all travelers, including Argentines. The DNI is not accepted in Brazil for formal entry. European Union citizens do not need a visa. Citizens of other countries must verify specific requirements. Migratory procedures at the bridge are fast in low season.
Crossing into Paraguay
Valid passport is required for Argentineans. The crossing is made from Brazil (Ciudad del Este is next to Foz do Iguaçu) by the Friendship Bridge. It is visited mainly for duty free shopping. The tour organized from Iguazu includes the migratory procedure of both borders.
Travel with minors
For Argentines traveling with minors without both parents, the following is required notarial authorization. If the minor needs to cross international borders, the document must be apostilled. Foreign minors follow the same rules as adults of their nationality regarding documentation.
Fauna and nature in the Park
The Misiones rainforest is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in South America.
Iguazú National Park is not only waterfalls. The surrounding subtropical rainforest is an extraordinary ecosystem that protects more than 400 species of birds, There are 80 mammals, 70 reptiles and thousands of insects and plants. The biological richness of this jungle is comparable to the Amazon in terms of species density.
The most visible to the visitor are the coatis -relatives of the raccoon, friendly but cunning food thieves- that appear in the circuits without any fear of tourists. The toucans toco are impossible to miss: they fly through the trees with that giant orange beak and are the living postcard of the jungle. The blue morpho butterflies, with their hand-sized iridescent wings, appear on wet trails throughout the year.
With more patience and luck you can see monkeys fell in the forest canopy, yacares on the banks of the streams, capybaras in the wetlands and brown shoots on the trails at dawn. The yaguareté inhabits the Park but sightings are extremely rare and occur in remote areas with specialized guides.
| Animal | Where to see it | Best schedule | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coati | Tourist circuits - approaching on their own | All day | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Certainty |
| Toucan toco | Forest canopy, flights between trees | Morning and afternoon | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very high |
| Blue morpho butterfly | Wet trails, lower circuit | Tomorrow | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Certainty |
| Yacaré | Mbiguá stream, river banks | Early morning | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High |
| Monkey fell | Forest canopy, lower circuit | Tomorrow | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High |
| Capybara | Wetlands and streams | Sunrise and sunset | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Media. |
| Brown Stout | Internal trails, safari | Sunrise | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Media. |
| Tapir | Specialized 4×4 safari | Before sunrise | ⭐⭐ Low-medium |
| Yaguareté | Remote areas, specialized guides | Night | ⭐ Very low |
Practical tips for the visit
What we learn after thousands of visits to the Park
Arrive at 8:00 when the Park opens.
The lower circuit with less than 50 people is a completely different experience than the same tour with 500 tourists. The first 2 hours of the morning are golden: the light is soft, the animals are active and the Garganta del Diablo has very few people. In high season, by 10:00 there are already lines at the train entrance.
Bring spare clothes for the lower circuit and the Gorge.
The spray from the falls wets from far away. In the lower circuit there are sections where the spray reaches everyone who passes, even if the day is clear. In the Devil's Throat you are guaranteed to get wet. Carry spare clothes in your backpack or a waterproof bag. Wet clothes in January with 35°C is not a problem. In July it can be uncomfortable.
Buy your ticket online in advance
In high season (July and January) tickets to the Park are sold out days in advance. The National Park's online system allows you to buy in advance and avoid surprises. The price varies according to season and there is a differential for foreigners. Print the ticket or save it in your cell phone.
Shoes with rubber sole and grip
Spray-wet walkways and trails can be slippery. Flip-flops and sandals without grip are a risk. Sneakers with good soles or light trekking shoes are ideal. The complete tour involves walking between 8 and 12 km depending on the circuits you choose.
Sun protection even on cloudy days
The sun in Misiones is very intense due to the latitude and humidity. Cloudy days do not protect - UV radiation still burns. Factors 50+ are recommended especially in summer. Cap, sunglasses and long-sleeved clothing for the hours of greatest exposure (11:00-16:00).
Do not feed the coatis
Coatis are adorable but may bite if they feel threatened or if they see food. There are signs throughout the park prohibiting feeding them. Beyond the fine, feeding them alters their natural behavior and makes them aggressive. Keep the food inside the backpack and closed.
Waterproof cell phone case
The spray from the falls does not distinguish between a closed bag and an uncovered cell phone. The best pictures of the falls are taken on the lower circuit and on the Devil's Throat walkway, which are exactly the wettest areas. A $500 waterproof case can save a $200,000 cell phone.
Calculate at least 2 nights in the area
To see the entire Argentine side, the Brazilian side and have time for the adventure tours, the minimum recommended is 2 nights. With 3 nights you can do the full moon night, the sunrise safari and the adventure tours without rushing. Day tours from Buenos Aires are possible but you miss the full experience.
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